Hidden Potential - the New York Times Bestseller Visualized!
Visual summary for "Hidden Potential" - Prologue
Welcome!
Today we are starting a new visual book summary:
“Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant.
Adam’s previous book “Think Again” was my first visual summary on Substack!
I really enjoyed the book, so when I learned that a new one was coming (through Adam’s Substack "Granted"), I didn’t hesitate and pre-ordered it.
Yet, that was in 2023 so I’m excited to finally pick it up!
Visualizing the Book
Similar to what we did with “Creativity Inc”, we are going to journey together through the book, using drawings to make the ideas more memorable.
While I try to fairly represent the ideas, my summaries are always personal, so they work best as a reference after reading the book. Note that the original book features excellent visuals from Liz Fosslien & Marissa Shandell (ResearchDoodles).
As we explore 'Hidden Potential' together, I'd love to hear your thoughts about the concepts presented or your feedback on the summary or visuals, that’s the best part of all this for me😉!
The Game Plan:
As I would like to finish the book within the month of March, there will be 4 posts (this one included), scheduled as follows:
Hidden Potential - Content
📍Prologue (Current)
🔲 Part I: Skills of Character (March 2nd)
Chapter 1: Creatures of Discomfort
Chapter 2: Human Sponges
Chapter 3: The Imperfectionists
🔲 Part II: Structures for Motivation (March 16th)
Chapter 4: Transforming the Daily Grind
Chapter 5: Getting Unstuck
Chapter 6: Defying Gravity
🔲 Part III: Systems of Opportunity (March 30th)
Chapter 7: Every Child Gets Ahead
Chapter 8: Mining for Gold
Chapter 9: Diamonds in the Rough
Prologue Summary
In 1991, a small group of kids from a poor neighborhood of Harlem sent waves through the whole chess world… The “Raging Rooks” had just won the US National Junior Chess Championship challenging conventional beliefs about success!
What do you believe contributes more to success: natural talent or developed skills?
The prologue explores that question, and presents the principles that will be developed in the book.
Character & Opportunity
Success is rarely a result of innate talent; instead, it comes from Character Skills and Opportunity
The 8 kids from the “Raging Rooks” hadn’t been selected in early childhood based on their abilities, they randomly stumbled into chess.
They were not from an elite school or wealthy white background like their opponents…
… All they had was an opportunity to learn from a passionate teacher: Maurice Ashley.
Characters skills can be learned!
Only a very small percentage of High-Achievers were “prodigies” as kids; however, they did present unusual motivation
Character skills and motivation are not only learnable, they are often sparked by great coaches, teachers or mentors!
Maurice Ashley didn’t only teach the game to the kids, but instilled in them the desire to be disciplined and masters of themselves. Often reminding them: “You can control your actions, not their result”
Being Proactive, Prosocial, Disciplined & Determined
Adam mentions an interesting study that links your income in adulthood to the experience of your kindergarten teacher - a more seasoned teacher meant $1,000 a year of additional income! What did those lucky kids learn?
A further study pointed to 4 Character Skills:
🙋♀️ Proactive - Taking initiative
🗣️ Prosocial - Getting along & Collaborate
🥋 Discipline - Focus & Attention
🧗♀️ Determined - Persist in the face of obstacles
Structure Enables Independence
Ashley provided initial structure and guidance, but the students eventually took ownership - creating chess-themed rap songs, comics, fanfiction, even organizing their own Chess Camp. They had begun removing the scaffolding and standing on their own!
The “Raging Rooks” demonstrated the incredible impact that “nurture” can bring. The character skills that they learned transcended the world of chess with the kids taking on later successful careers.
As for Maurice, a few years after the kids’ win, he became the first Black chess Grandmaster in the world!
That’s it for this week!
Which of the four character skills resonates most with your personal experience?
Have you had a teacher, coach or mentor that had a large influence on who you are today?
In the next post: We'll go into Part I, exploring the Character Skills more in depth. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it!
The next post is out! Find it here:
Are You a Human Sponge? Adam Grant's Character Skills for Hidden Potential
1093 words | Around 4.5-minute read
📖 Get the book [“Hidden Potential” - Amazon Affiliate link]
Love that main picture… So cool!
You have created great metaphors for this article Lud!